When I lost my job at the beginning of 2013 I didn’t think I’d ever feel capable again. It was a year filled with words like fear, worry, anxiety, doubt, and sadness. After years of striving, climbing the corporate ladder and doing whatever it took to earn the fancy title for my business card, to move from a cubicle to an office, God closed the door.
If I’m honest, He’d been asking me to walk away from that particular “door” for awhile and I’d been too afraid to make the move into the unknown. Striving and considering myself fully capable were much easier than dipping a toe into the waters of something new.
It was in that season of unknown that God revealed His grace and provision over my life in a way that I’d never experienced before, because my “I can do it on my own” left little room for dependence on Jesus. And He did provide. In the big ways, with friends who trusted me with their work and their time, and in little ways, with small gifts of coffee and kind words. But He was also firm with me when I asked Him if I was truly capable of doing any of this work – He said “No. But I am.”
So 2014 started and I chose the word “capable” to remind me that I’m not, but God is. It was the word that has given me the courage to start something new, fully dependent on God and His grace, because I would rather lean into Jesus than go back to a weary life of striving. And now, as we’re past the halfway point of the year, “capable” is still very much my word of the year. But it has taken on a new shape, and that word now looks more like “grace.”
- Grace for the days where I mess it all up.
- Grace for the days when I don’t have enough in me to pour out one more piece of encouragement for my family after giving it all online.
- Grace for the days I forget that I’m not the one who is capable.
- Grace for this sinner who puts herself first instead of loving her sisters.
- Grace upon grace.
And sometimes? Sometimes a word-girl like myself just needs a little reminder of the gift God has given her. The new Letterpress Blocks* {coming to the (in)courage store on DaySpring.com in September} are just the reminder I need. Hung on a wall, sitting on my desk, spelling it out in beautiful design when I forget. Grace. Because words matter, and the Word matters.
This week as we’re reading and writing about our own “Best Yes,” mine is this: Today, my “best yes” is to say no to myself and “yes” to Jesus – because He is capable.
What is your “best yes” this week? How are you living out your one word this year? Has it changed at all?
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*If you are interested in learning more about the Letterpress Blocks (as well as (in)courage’s upcoming Everlasting Light Line!) and being a part of a Product Launch team, click here!
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Monica says
Crystal,
What a beautiful post this morning. I am new to Incourage, and I cannot put into words what a blessing it has been to read it daily. I wake each morning with anticipation with what Word The Lord has provided through each of the writers for the day. My Best Yes is trusting God in ALL facets of my life…was recently diagnosed with Breast cancer. As I am walking this new journey, I am reminded daily of God’s Grace towards me and am truly encouraged by you wonderful group of sisters in Christ who are so real. Thank you for your words this morning. Blessings.
Crystal Stine says
Oh Monica – praying for you now, friend. Grateful you shared your heart.
Beth Williams says
Monica,
Prayers for you and your family! May God provide you with more good days than bad–His love, grace and mercy! May He help us find a cure for ALL Cancers!! 🙂
Blessings 🙂
Monica says
Crystal,
What a beautiful post this morning. I am new to Incourage, and I cannot put into words what a blessing it has been to read it daily. I wake each morning with anticipation with what Word The Lord has provided through each of the writers for the day. My Best Yes is trusting God in ALL facets of my life…was recently diagnosed with Breast cancer. As I am walking this new journey, I am reminded daily of God’s Grace towards me and am truly encouraged by you wonderful group of sisters in Christ who are so real. Thank you for your words this morning. Blessings.
Crystal Stine says
Oh Monica – praying for you now, friend. Grateful you shared your heart.
Beth Williams says
Monica,
Prayers for you and your family! May God provide you with more good days than bad–His love, grace and mercy! May He help us find a cure for ALL Cancers!! 🙂
Blessings 🙂
Beverly says
Monica, I am so sorry for your recent diagnosis. I wanted you to know that I just said a prayer for you.
Lysa TerKeurst says
Sweet Crystal… I love that your word for 2014 is “capable.” It’s so easy to pretend like we can do everything ourselves. But what a great reminder that He is the only One who can truly do it all. Thank you for this post today… blessings, Lysa
Crystal Stine says
Thank YOU for giving us a way to share our “best yes” stories, Lysa – your heart for this community and the kiddos and families that partner with 99 Balloons..it’s beautiful.
Lysa TerKeurst says
Sweet Crystal… I love that your word for 2014 is “capable.” It’s so easy to pretend like we can do everything ourselves. But what a great reminder that He is the only One who can truly do it all. Thank you for this post today… blessings, Lysa
Crystal Stine says
Thank YOU for giving us a way to share our “best yes” stories, Lysa – your heart for this community and the kiddos and families that partner with 99 Balloons..it’s beautiful.
Jen @beautyandbedlam.com says
Is it ok to mention that I am so glad God shut that door for you in 2013? I can’t even imagine what it was like here before you. 🙂 xoxox
Crystal Stine says
You sure can 😉 And I’m so blessed by this community and your friendship – God continues to redeem so much of my story through this beach house on the internet.
Crystal Stine says
You sure can 😉 And I’m so blessed by this community and your friendship – God continues to redeem so much of my story through this beach house on the internet.
Tonya Salomons says
My best yes today (this whole summer really, if I’m honest) is that my purpose… the one and only thing He has called me to is to be like Him, that is where I will find what I need to complete what He has called me to! I love you and your heart sweet friend… and when I look back to 2013 and that time in your life I get tears in my eyes when I see you now and how much God has done in your life and continues to do! You inspire me friend and so very grateful that I get to do a little life with you!
Crystal Stine says
{{hugs}} so when this new line of letterpress blocks comes out, I think you should ask for the word “purpose” for Christmas 🙂 So you can sit it up where you write and remember like Ebenezer stones. Remember where He is calling you, and remember that His purpose for you is GOOD, my friend. So good.
Crystal Stine says
{{hugs}} so when this new line of letterpress blocks comes out, I think you should ask for the word “purpose” for Christmas 🙂 So you can sit it up where you write and remember like Ebenezer stones. Remember where He is calling you, and remember that His purpose for you is GOOD, my friend. So good.
Kim J says
” If I’m honest, He’d been asking me to walk away from that particular “door” for awhile and I’d been too afraid to make the move into the unknown. Striving and considering myself fully capable were much easier than dipping a toe into the waters of something new.”
God asked me to do the same, but for very different reasons. I have 3 chronic health conditions and I knew I needed to quit my job, but never thought I could. Long story short, God knew that I was depending on myself to provide, to keep pushing through, although my body was telling me no more. I decided to take a leap of faith and God has shown me grace and has provided for my every need. Although I miss working, God in his love for me provided. ” His best yes” for my situation and I have learned more here than I ever would have otherwise.
Kim J says
” If I’m honest, He’d been asking me to walk away from that particular “door” for awhile and I’d been too afraid to make the move into the unknown. Striving and considering myself fully capable were much easier than dipping a toe into the waters of something new.”
God asked me to do the same, but for very different reasons. I have 3 chronic health conditions and I knew I needed to quit my job, but never thought I could. Long story short, God knew that I was depending on myself to provide, to keep pushing through, although my body was telling me no more. I decided to take a leap of faith and God has shown me grace and has provided for my every need. Although I miss working, God in his love for me provided. ” His best yes” for my situation and I have learned more here than I ever would have otherwise.
Ali says
I’m a chronic sufferer from over committing. Over the past four years I’ve learned a lot about how to say no.
But I’m also quick to say yes when the Lord is up to something. Over the past few months I’ve stumbled across a ministry where the Lord is really up to something. I didn’t say yes to being a part of it because it was time to over commit yet again. This time, I really felt the Lord moving and He has affirmed that every step of the way. Saying yes to a work of the Spirit is a great adventure. It’s the type of thing to say Yes to.
I’m learning to say no to the other things. I’ve been loving reading The Best Yes this week and wrote about it a little on my blog.
Ali says
I’m a chronic sufferer from over committing. Over the past four years I’ve learned a lot about how to say no.
But I’m also quick to say yes when the Lord is up to something. Over the past few months I’ve stumbled across a ministry where the Lord is really up to something. I didn’t say yes to being a part of it because it was time to over commit yet again. This time, I really felt the Lord moving and He has affirmed that every step of the way. Saying yes to a work of the Spirit is a great adventure. It’s the type of thing to say Yes to.
I’m learning to say no to the other things. I’ve been loving reading The Best Yes this week and wrote about it a little on my blog.
Kate Carman says
A word that brings me comfort is “replace”
I talk to God and ask that he replace whatever on my heart with his will. This morning, it was replace fear with trust. 🙂
Kate Carman says
A word that brings me comfort is “replace”
I talk to God and ask that he replace whatever on my heart with his will. This morning, it was replace fear with trust. 🙂
Karen Thompson says
My best yes this year and word/s, actually a phrase was to say to my friend Jesus to “Rewrite my life”, and I can say that he is doing that. It is not comfortable as I am feeling and learning to understand myself in regard to friendship, or at least the lack of in the physical world.
I know at some point the wounds of lost friendships will be dealt with, but right now I am feeling the lack quite deeply. Especially as in my own strength, I really don’t know how to be a friend. You see I have Asperger Syndrome( type of autism) so I have always struggled with friendships, socially and communication wise. My Best yes to Jesus is that I love him and he will help me, through the difficult of this situation.
Karen Thompson says
My best yes this year and word/s, actually a phrase was to say to my friend Jesus to “Rewrite my life”, and I can say that he is doing that. It is not comfortable as I am feeling and learning to understand myself in regard to friendship, or at least the lack of in the physical world.
I know at some point the wounds of lost friendships will be dealt with, but right now I am feeling the lack quite deeply. Especially as in my own strength, I really don’t know how to be a friend. You see I have Asperger Syndrome( type of autism) so I have always struggled with friendships, socially and communication wise. My Best yes to Jesus is that I love him and he will help me, through the difficult of this situation.
Debbie says
I am in my fifties, responsible with my finances, lost a job due to employer moving, alimony over with, bad things happen to the righteous in a fallen world. Renewing is my new word sword, His might Right Hand, I live by. I can’t make things just happen I have learned, so I kneel to my King and ask Him to fight for me, His daughter. I thankfully petition for my needs and expect His loving kindness.
Brooke says
I loved this piece. I too strive to be capable while forgetting that only He is truly capable.
Beth Williams says
Crystal
This spoke right to my heart gal!
I’ve been working this current job for 7 years now and it has changed drastically since I started. A lot of days I don’t feel useful or smart. I wonder if God is trying to tell me to quit this job and do something else with the company or go someplace else. But like you said : “I’d been too afraid to make the move into the unknown. Striving and considering myself fully capable were much easier than dipping a toe into the waters of something new.”
This may be my time to start something new. Now that my life has settled down a bit–got aging dad moved to assisted living and meds problems solved. It may also be a time for my hubby to make a move from his job of 26 years.
Prayers please as we consider what to do!
Blessings to everyone 🙂
Beth Williams says
Crystal
This spoke right to my heart gal!
I’ve been working this current job for 7 years now and it has changed drastically since I started. A lot of days I don’t feel useful or smart. I wonder if God is trying to tell me to quit this job and do something else with the company or go someplace else. But like you said : “I’d been too afraid to make the move into the unknown. Striving and considering myself fully capable were much easier than dipping a toe into the waters of something new.”
This may be my time to start something new. Now that my life has settled down a bit–got aging dad moved to assisted living and meds problems solved. It may also be a time for my hubby to make a move from his job of 26 years.
Prayers please as we consider what to do!
Blessings to everyone 🙂
Cindy Metz says
Thanks, Crystal, for this post. It spoke straight to my heart. I too lost my job in 2013 and it sent me reeling because not only was it my job, it was my ministry as well. Like you, if I’m totally honest, God was shutting the door but I was still trying to hang on. My best yes this year is taking the time to see where He wants me…I’m not there yet, but I’m trusting Him.